While the rest of the Italian City States are ruled by autocratic despots Venice is still an Oligarchy. Currently Doge Pietro Gradenigo and the members of the Great Council guide the city though this turbulent time period. Recent changes to the law have much of the citizens still grumbling about the dangerous turn the city has taken, through deft political maneuvering the Doge has closed the Council to those who have either already sat on the council or who can prove that relatives were on the council in the past. Though there are still plum positions to be sought by those who are not “included” much of the citizenry has been closed off from having an effective voice in the administration of the city.

Current Noble Families: Dandolo (supporters of the Doge), Gradenigo, Soranzos, Querini, Tiepolo, (last two opponents of the Doge), Ca’Grande.

There are people from all walks of life and all cultures in Venice at this time, merchants and skilled laborers hold great prominence in the city not just the Venetian “nobility”.

Traditionally Venice looked to the east and the Mediterranean Sea. Her founding fathers were as much Byzantine Greek as they were Latin. In fact Venice’s Doge was one of the architects of the fall of the Byzantine Empire over 100 years ago. Since that time though, the Latin Kingdom of Constantinople (never much more than the city and its walls) fell to the Palaeologus line which has revived the Byzantine Empire. Relations between that Emperor and the hated Genoans was long established which weakened Venetian Black Sea trading interests. However, the most serious blow came over 15 years ago when the Mameluke Sultan of Egypt swept away the last of the Crusader states in the Outremer. Though the Venetians immediately opened relations with the Sultan their position which was once one of strength has been diminished by unstable relations with an infidel.

As her Mediterranean power has been checked, her power on land has grown. Venetian mercenaries who unlike the mercenaries of the other Italian city states which look for deep pockets, are from the lagoon itself and are loyalt to the "Republic". This however changed just over a year ago when Marquis Azzo VII of Este died at Ferrara leaving no legitimate offspring. It would appear that one of Azzo’s two brothers had a claim to the seat of power in Ferrara. Before his death Azzo had named his grandson Folco, from an illegitimate son, to be his heir in his will. The brothers were furious and Folco’s father Fosco appealed to Venice for help.

Naturally Venice was all too eager to aid Fosco’s son retain the title after all would this not extend the control of her land Empire? The Doge dispatched a military force to prop up the young heir. The Pope though had no intention of seeing Venice gain such a prize and resurrected the papal claim of Suzerainty over the city declaring in favor of the brothers. Doge Gradenigo refused to yield and did not withdraw Venetian troops when ordered to do so by the Pope. After all, Venice had long been outside of the direct influence of the Pope’s influence. Appeals by the Doge fell on deaf ears and Pope Clement threatened to excommunication and interdict on the Republic, its Doge, his councilors and captains and all those who gave advice against the wishes of the Holy See.

Naturally such a threat was poorly received by the Doge who refused to secede to the wishes of the Pope. A delegation was sent to try a diplomatic solution but was rebuked. It is now February of 1309 and the streets and canals of Venice have become a dangerous place. The Great Council debates over the pending excommunication with the enemies of the Doge as well as his supporters out on the streets calling for the support of the people and in many instances coming to blows...

You have been in this Gaijin city for three days now. While you have been able to overcome the language barrier with the help of your Contact Adelchi it is not easy going. More than then half of the “roads” are bodies of water, “canals” Adelchi calls them. It was a long journey from the Black Sea to get here but this Adelchi character paid the entire fare so you are unconcerned. What IS concerning is the fact that the man leaves messages for you at night when you are staling the streets and getting a lay for the land. This is important as the hunter must know the hunting ground better than its prey. Still, if this man can move around so easily why does he need YOU to find this mark? Pushing that thought to the back of your mind you move through the streets of the city as silently as a shadow. You hope that soon you will get used to the smell or perhaps before that you will find your mark, a man named Michele Querini. This should be an easy job, after all he just wants you to find the man. Up ahead you hear a commotion and then the sound of steel on steel…

Lorenzo Cappelli Prologue:

Another long day engrossed in your work has left you exhausted. These specimens led to little breakthrough in your research. Surely there must be some way to ease childbirth but as always you fail to discover what that might be. Failure, you roll the word along your tongue like a foul tasting ichor. You shut your eyes trying to close off the memory of Constancia’s face but you cannot. Spinning in a rage you slam your tools off of your workbench fall to your knees and attempt to regain control. Suddenly a new insight a breakthrough forms before you can stand to write the fleeting thought down you hear a loud pounding from the front door. Your train of thought interrupted the thought is lost. The pounding comes again someone is at the front door. Fearful of discovery you run up the stairs closing the trap door to your lab and fumble with the carpet to cover the door. Whoever this is had better have a damn good reason for interrupting your work.

Gunther Thesing Prologue:

Greetings’ is roaring tonight. Jordan has finished another virtuoso performance and the crowd is cheering her on for another. She laughs and hops off of the stage heading into the back room to rest as she is exhausted from a long day of cleaning in the Inn. You watch her linger for a moment thinking back to the days when she was just a little girl running around his new establishment. His eyes harden as he sees customers leering at her as she walks away. You take a deep breath knowing that they are paying customers cutting the eyes out of every man that looks her way is bad for business. Fiona’s voice calls you back to reality, “Gunther, I need four more ales!” You smile at her, still as pretty as the day he met her and he fills the glasses straight away sending her off with a kiss on the cheek. Customers toast the kiss and laugh at the big man’s tender demeanor with his wife. You turns to good naturedly chew one of them out, a local who he has known since the place opened right here on the Rio Fuseri a prime canal location. As you turn though a man is in your line of sight who you could have sworn was not there a second ago. The stranger is handsome and appears to be of Italian descent with a prominent Roman nose, hard dark eyes though his skin tone seems pale which you thought was usually reserved for northerners. He is tall like a northerner too, perhaps a smidge taller than you. His clothes are dark and finely made displaying the newest styles from Florence this man is no doubt very well off. “You are Gunther Thesing?” asks the stranger with a rumbling yet melodic voice.

Katriana and Sergei:

Travel through the countryside of Italy is slow going but you have finally arrived. Katriana pays far too much for transport to the city on the lagoon causing Sergei to scowl. Saying nothing he simply looks towards the city and dreams of retribution. Francois turns to him, “My friend I see this as a bad idea. Certainly this place may contain what you seek but the place is a trap there is no easy way out”. Sergei does not respond. Francois continues, “The creature that sent us to this place was a young one, he had been alive only a week before. How could one so new have so much information on something that happened decades ago? It is as if something has wanted to draw us here we must be cautious..” Katriana puts a hand on Francois’ shoulder he turns and she shakes her head at him. He walks with her to the back of the vessel that is carrying them to the city. “My love we must convince your brother to proceed with all due caution”. Katriana smiles and kisses him gently on the lips. “No I will not let you distract me…” She kisses him again, this time with greater passion and his arguments cease as he embraces her fully. Sergei turns to the lovers and chuckles. Of course Sergei knows this is a trap but what Francois fails to realize is that the Volkov’s sent agents her two months ago, they are well prepared for whatever awaits them here. The vessel arrives at the mouth of a canal where a man on a strange look boat awaits them. He beckons them forward down a set of stairs. The man beckoning to you is Curtis’ character whose name you do not know. You should continue to post in spoiler tags but use this notice – “Volkov Prologue – Storyteller Shadow and Michael Santo”

Michael Santo:

Damn unreliable employees! Young people today have no sense of responsibility. Stupid young fool no shows to work probably out causing mischief against the Doge. The nights are getting more and more dangerous which is why you generally try to operate only by daylight. Luckily you were bringing in your gondola at the precise moment when Maurizio began to stalk off disgustedly. Realizing the older man would not work a double shift without extra incentive you decided to take the fare yourself. This was a big haul too. Some sort of eastern merchant was arriving in the city to stay for a few weeks. Unfortunately he had already sent his “people” ahead to book rooms so you could not set him up at Greetings where Gunther gave most fares to your people. You laugh at yourself when you realize how ridiculous you are being. One person calls out sick and another no shows and here you are complaining to yourself in the middle of the night. You look at you soft hands now beginning to blister and it is no wonder, you have not taken a fare in several months now that the business has taken off so successfully. A vessel pulls into the harbor at the mouth of Canale di Cannaregio and dispatches passengers. You see only three people get off and these must be the ones you were looking for as they are all well dressed. One is a strikingly gorgeous woman, the other clearly a Frenchmen, and the last must be your employer, a man dressed in leathers. You beckon to them to come down to your gondola so you can get them on your way and get yourself home. Two of the three passengers are Lou’s characters you do not know their names yet. You should respond to Lou using the following spoiler tag “Santo Prologue – Storyteller Shadow and the Volkov’s”

Michele Querini:

You and your cousin Marco Querini along with a band of young turks stalk the streets in the late hours of Venice looking for a fight. The Doge’s enforcers are no doubt out here somewhere and you would love to send the message outside of the council chamber that you can’t send inside the council chamber – submit to the will of the council or pay the consequences! Usually you are not out like this galavanting but after THAT many drinks your beer muscles starting getting worked up so you agree to come out and act the fool. After three hours it became obvious that you were the only ones out tonight looking for a fight so your band began to break off and head home. As it turns out this was a mistake for as you turn the corner of Strada Cendon to go at Marco’s house the gang you were seeking stands before you talking amongst themselves. They notice the three of you and one of them blurts out, “Marco Querini you loud mouth come face me and I will cut out your tongue!” Despite the fact that there are seven of them Marco draws his rapier and screams back, “Face me you dog”. What do you do?

Lorenzo & Michele Querini:

Lorenzo when you still had your practice Michele was a patient of yours. You were introduced to him through your brother Dominic who had some dealings with him. You have not seen him since you dropped the practice (how long ago would you say that was?)

Gunther Thesing & Michael Santo:

Gunther owns an Inn Tavern called Greetings. Michael owns a fleet of Gondola. You met when Micheal had only one Gondola and Gunther was thinking about opening a place. Over the last decade as both businesses grew you worked out a business deal. Michael would recommend to tourists that they should stay there and drunk revelers were dropped there to continue reveling. Gunther in turn would call upon Michael’s Gondola’s if his customers or he ever needed transportation. The deal works out very well especially since Gunther’s Greetings is right on the canal.

Michele & Michael:

Michele uses the Gondola service of Michael to ship different goods through the city. Sometimes when items must be smuggled into or out of the city Michele also uses Michael’s gondola’s for that as well. So far it has been a good arrangement. Michael is especially happy about it because Michele is on the Great Council and it is always good to have friends in politics, especially dirty ones.

Monkeygod:

Let me know when you are ready to go. I can insert you in at any time even after the Prologues are over.

"Sergei!" yells Katriana, "Do not start with the secret codes, he obviously doesn't know what you are talking about." She slaps him on the back.
"I am so sorry, I apologize for my brothers behavior. I am Katriana, and this is my brother, Sergei." She shyly bats her eyelashes the new acquaintance.

I would imagine Lorenzo closed his practice on the order of five years ago. That being said, if Dominic had brought someone to him even after he closed his practice, Lorenzo would likely see what he could do.

Lorenzo Cappelli Prologue - Storyteller Shadow:

Rushing to conceal the entrance to his laboratory, Lorenzo calls out to whomever is banging at his door, "Who in the Hell is it? Do you people not know that I am busy?" as he rushes for the door.

As Lorenzo opens the door standing before him is an older gentleman, his clothes are disheveled as if he was in a struggle and had them pulled out of place and never got a chance to rearrange himself. His eyes search everywhere above and behind him as he steps forward. "You are Dominic Cappelli's brother the doctor right? Can I come in?" Before you have a chance to respond he barges in and shuts the door.

I would have made the roll Appearance & Expression, in any case the roll has failed and the man does not seemed fazed. Francois nudges Katriana from behind with a sharp exhalation of breath. He is just so damn jealous all the time! We must now wait for Curt's reply.

You should pick a specialization for your 4 Dexterity. For now we will say that the 10 counts as 2 successes. You blend so perfectly into the shadows that perhaps even the shadow do not know you are there. As you approach the disturbance you see that two men are wielding rapiers battling one another, the two combatants seem equally matched and fairly skilled at their craft. All of the spectators are men and all seem to be natives of the region but all Gaijin look the same to you so its hard to tell. What is clear is that one combatant has only two supporters as they wear the same color whereas the other combatant has seven supporters as they wear the same colors and coat of arms. Should all of the men begin to do battle it is clear which side will win. Make a Perception+Awareness check Difficulty of 7.

Equal parts irrate and confused, Lorenzo exasperatedly states, "Hold on just a damned minute, I do not recall inviting you into my home!" At the mention of Dominic, Lorenzo calms a bit. "Yes, Dominic is my brother but I have not had a practice in a number of years. Who are you, and what do you want?"

Wringing his hands in nervousness almost as if he is washing them clean the man responds. "I am Giuseppe, Doctor Cappelli. I was told if I had a problem with certain things I could come see you. You know that the Doge has a secret force of guards right? Of course you do, you're connected. Anyway one of these guards broke into our warehouse tonight and I caught him by surprise. I tried to knock him out but I bashed him real good on his head and he is bleeding real real bad. I think he might die in fact I hope he does cause if he reports back what we have at the warehouse to the Doge I will not be alive much longer. But I can't get him to wake up and and I need him awake cause I need to know what he knows, do you see why I need help?"

Xing Shi watches the fight not entirely interested in helping either side. Let the Gaijin kill each other for all she cared din't matter to her. She looked around to see if anything else was happening in the area still sticking to the shadow.

"Very well. First of all, did anyone see you come to my door? God knows you were making enough noise to wake the dead, but did anyone actuall see you or follow you? Secondly, where is the body now, how long ago was he wounded?"

Assuming the answers, imply there is even the slightest chance that the man is still alive...

"Alright, we will see what we can do for him. Be sure no one sees you, and bring the body around to the back entrance."

"No, I was extra careful not to be followed. I knocked softly at first I guess you were asleep and didn't hear me. The guy is at the warehouse still. Probably twenty minutes ago I clubbed him".

"No way Doc. If you don't want anybody to see us you will have to come with me. It'll be quick to get there. Sorry but he is too heavy for me to move plus I don't want anybody to see me carrying a body around y'know". Giuseppe looks at you expectantly hoping you will comply.

Once you have gathered your things Giuseppe leads you along the deserted streets of the city. Luckily your home and the warehouse are close enough that no gondola need be taken or bridge need be crossed. Giuseppe has the key ready and the door opened so quickly you are certain that no one followed you. He brings you to the back of the building where a grisly scene is laid out before you. Giuseppe was not lying, he struck the man on the temple and caved part of his head in. At least two thirds of his blood covers the floor near his fallen body. What you cannot understand is the fortitude that the man has, how can he even still be alive?

Guiseppe stands back while you approach the stranger with your bag and take his pulse which is weak and fading fast. His eyes look glazed over and blood seeps from his nose. Seeing you or at least seeing something, he states, "Take me to Prince Narses, I must tell him what I have seen here. He will reward you as he always does". Giuseppe interjects, "Did he say something? Is the Doge investigating us? Find out Doc before we lose him!"

Lorenzo make a Perception + Awareness test at Difficulty 8. Also, let me know what you would like to do next.

Xing Shi spots her mark and sees the danger growing. She can't let her mark die here or else her mission will be failed. She attempts to climb the nearest building to get to higher ground.
Dex+Athletics7d10 ⇒ (8, 7, 7, 9, 1, 5, 2) = 39

You manage to climb the building with little difficulty. The two men continue to do battle with no one landing a decisive blow. One of the men who have now become your opponents draws his blade, screams out a cry and begins to move forward. Your mark seems fairly serene and does not respond to the action. What do you do?

With all her years of training and fighting she watches the man charge like a wild bull and swiftly draws four shurikens from her pouch and launches them toward the fool charging into battle.
Dex+Athletics7d10 ⇒ (8, 2, 9, 9, 7, 1, 9) = 45Damage Str+1 for each success over 35d10 ⇒ (7, 3, 10, 10, 2) = 32

Lorenzo glares back at Giuseppe, "Quiet. I don't have much hope for him. Let me do my work."

The former doctor turns his attention back to his patient. "Prince Narces? There are no princes in this city. Who are you, what have you seen?" Lorenzo asks the dying man, doing his best to bandage and stabilize his wound.

As the man starts to charge forward the thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk of the shurikens stop him in his tracks. He screams in pain and fear as the attack was quite a surprise. His friends pick him up as he bleeds profusely to your dismay you see that he is not dead. Looking up in fear the men back away and flee calling their rivals cowards and assassins.

The two swordsmen exchange words and break off contact with no winner to the contest. The man with the larger group jogs backwards his eyes to the skyline but he fails to see you as well as he trots off behind his compatriots. Let's stop there and wait for Miguel to respond tonight.

Christopher Dandolo a hotheaded supporter of the Doge, responds by drawing his rapier and moving forward. Marco and Christopher fence with their rapiers for long minutes as the rest of you stare in rapt attention. You become a bit nervous as you realize that you are outnumbered by these Dandolo and their supporters nearly three to one. As the minutes drag by with neither your cousin or his foe gaining any ground one of the hangars on draws his rapier and screams "Die Querini scum". He charges forward to outflank Marco. You stand there serene unable to believe what you are witnessing, how did you get yourself into this mess? Before the man can clear the distance halfway to your cousin metal objects come spinning out of the darkness above. All four objects steike the man dropping him in his tracks. He screams in paid and rage as you can see street torches gleaming off of their polished metal. The weapons are unlike any you have seen before. The Dandolo's collect their injured friend and run off down the street and away. You breathe a sigh of relief as Marco and Christopher exchange harsh words. What do you do?

With your successful Perception check despite the dark shadows in the warehouse you see that a large crate to your left has been pried open wide enough for a man to enter.

Upon hearing your voice the man's eyes focus again. "Wait I don't know you... What have I done?" He pauses to take in a sharp breath and lets out a wheezing cough like rattle, "That is where you are wrong. There is a Prince and you will rue this day that you have made this discovery". You try as best you can to stabilize him but it is obvious that he will not make it. Within only a few more minutes his breath stops.

From behind Giuseppe says, "No Doc no, you gotta save him!"

As you turn to reprimand this fool suddenly the weight of the body vanishes from your hands. As you turn back the body you expected to see is gone replaced with ashes in the imprint of a man. From behind you hear a loud thump as Giuseppe appears to have passed out at the sight.

Lorenzo is nearly as shocked as the passed out Giuseppe by the dying man's rapid transition to dust. Equal parts frightened and curious, Lorenzo reaches into his bag, and fills an empty specimin bottle with a bit of the dead man's dust to study later.

His sample gathered, Lorenzo grabs a broom and obliterates the man's outline, not wanting extra attention drawn to discovery. He then moves to check on Giuseppe, satified that the man will be alright, Lorenzo goes to investigate the pried open crate.

You check out Giuseppe and he will be fine. Turning your attention to the crate you peer inside but it is too dark to see. Assuming you have time you locate a lantern and get it lit. You puzzle over what exactly happened to this stranger but there is nothing you have ever heard of like that before in the realm of medicine to explain it. You push it to the back of your mind as you focus on what is so important about this crate. Stepping inside you are disappointed to see nothing more than priestly vestments and crosses. To be sure the robes are beautiful and the crosses inlaid with silver are works of art but nothing to get excited about. As you push in closer you see several boxes within the crate. Hoping to find something interesting you open a few. One is filled to the top with wooden chair legs oddly all of the legs are sharpened to a fine point. The other box is filled with clay pots. You open one pot and take a whiff, you stumble back coughing as the pot is filled with sulfur as well as other flammable materials. You manage not to drop the pot and you are thankful that you did not bring a candle into this crate! Now this is getting strange.

You see your mark look up, at the wrong building. He yells out to his friend "Marco - let's leave quickly". His cousin refuses to budge and is still screaming obsceneties at the top of his lungs, some of which you note for future reference. Clearly the twitchy type he grabs the man and starts pulling him in the opposite direction. The third one follows along still trying to look up at you but you are far too good at what you do to be seen by this drunk fool. Your mark is moving quickly, regrettably you will lose those four shuriken but you can always make more. Your craft skills are not up to the snuff of the ones you brought from the homeland but now that you have him you refuse to lose the mark.

Close but I would place the difficulty for that one at 7. I will probably give you a re-roll at some point in the future to put it together again. Giuseppe comes to and shakes his head. "Doc what happened? I feel like I had some kind of crazy dream. One minute I was looking at the guy the next he's gone. Did I get knocked in the head or something by him? Did he get away? Did you get any information ouf of him? What do you mean get out of here? I can't leave I am the night guard". Looking over Giuseppe sees the open crate. "Crap. I gotta get some nails and close that up! Giuseppe seems out of sorts and frantic.

You race away from the scene of the fight down the street towards Gino's house (Gino is Marco's friend and he lives the closest - you were heading to marco's house but that is towards the Dandolo ruffians so its not an option) you peer backwards to make sure you are not being followed. Make a Perception + Awareness test Difficulty of 9.

I raise an eye brow and stare at Sergi with a strange and confused look.

Slowly turning to Kartina "It's a pleasure to meet you Katrina, I am Miachel Santo Your Captin this evening. Would you like a moonlit tour of the city? The sights of Venice are simply breath taking by waterview? whadda-ya-say-no?"

Sergei interrupts, "You are here to take us to our house, are you not? Michael, was it? Instead of trying to make time with my sister why don't you grab some of our things and put them in your.....boat."
Manipulation + Intimidation (-1 for Bruiser) 6d10 ⇒ (8, 4, 10, 4, 5, 5) = 36

Sticking to the shadows she follows Michele Querini and his friends making note of the surrounding area passing through the city. She marks the territory as she moves for ease of escape of known route in case the need arises.

She thinks to herself that this fool is lucky to be alive and almost lost her contract due to their idiocy. Men always trying to be bravos.

Turning back you see nothing there and proceed to haed to Gino's house grateful that God has seen after your soul today. It lookslike that business with the Holy See is paying off in more ways then one!

Francois bends down and grabs Katriana's bags. "Why must you always flirt with other men when you know that I love you?" Katriana sees hurt and anger in Francois' eyes. Michael how do you react to Sergei's comment and Katriana's outburst?

You see your mark look back but he fails to notice you. Within two blocks they enter a building and close the door behind them. The building is not as well to do as you have expected and it is the third compatriot who uses the key to acces the building. What do you do now?

"I am not entirely sure what has happened, Giuseppe. Although I am certain that you do not have to worry about your intruder divulging any information he may have gained here."

As Lorenzo begins to leave and head back home, he turns back to the night watchman, "One question before I go, why is there a crate full of religious garb and filed down chair legs here? Seems like an odd thing to keep around. Once you have finished resealing that crate, I would get some rest if I were you."

Once he has heard Giuseppe's answer, Lorenzo returns to his home and work.

Xing Shi finds a good spot with cover and concealment and view of the house her mark entered and waits. Realizing this is probably not his house she will wait outside for him to exit and follow again to his residence if that is his final destination for the night.

While waiting she pulls out a parchment and begins marking down the territory creating a crude map.

"That's a relief. Wait you went in the crate? Look whatever you saw just forget it. I don't ask questions I just look after the place and your brother pays me every week good money to keep my mouth shut. I suggest you do the same. Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it, if there is ever anything I can do for you just say the word Doc".

Giuseppe gets to work closing the crate as you slip out the entrance after ensuring that no one is watching. The walk back is accompanied by the sound of steel bared on steel which echoes from somewhere far away. You pull your cloak tighter and head back to your home wondering if you can just forget everything you saw here tonight.

Katriana turns to Francois, smiling as she walks towards him and whispers in his ear. "My love, you know you are the only one I want inside of me! You also know I need to do these things. Don't be jealous..."

***Thinking to himself***.o(this night cannot get any stranger). Michael begins to place the travelers belongings onto the Gondola "Please allow me to pack your belongings. I would not feel right to charge you to pack your own things. Please have a seat and get comfortable and I will transport you to your destination in the beautiful city of Venice. {pause for a moment} where are we headed by the way?' "